ECG-based waveform characterization of atrial fibrillation

In English In atrial fibrillation (AF), the body surface signal pattern varies considerably from one patient to another as well as over time. We have developed a new method for ECG-based characterization of AF which explores the morphology of the f-waves. Following QRST cancellation, the method divides the atrial signal into short blocks and performs a model-based analysis of each block. The blocks are then clustered into different waveform patterns. The method was applied to a database of 36 patients (10-s recordings) with organized AF. The results show that the different waveforms in AF are well represented by the proposed model. Each recording was, in average, represented by 3 clusters of which the main cluster covered 31% of the blocks. In lead V1, the typical phase relationship between the fundamental and first harmonic was -82 degrees, indicating sawtooth-like waves with a steeper downslope than upslope.